When caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or dementia, behavior can be one of the most difficult parts of the daily journey. It’s important to understand that the disease changes your loved one’s brain, and because of these changes, communication problems can arise. Being aware of some of the more common behavioral problems that come with dementia can help you give your loved one the best possible care. Continue reading →

Writing down your life’s story can be helpful to both you and your loved ones. There are several benefits to keeping track of your life in written form. Don’t worry if you’re not a writer; you don’t have to write a book. Keeping track of your daily life by documenting notes, photos, movie stubs, and other pieces of life’s little moments is enough. Continue reading →

When it comes to your senior parents, the choice to move them at any time can be a difficult one. So when your senior loved one has had a hospital or rehab stay, is it time to move them directly into assisted living, or should you wait? Continue reading →

Often, with diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia, the first signs and symptoms are subtle and are confused with normal signs of aging. So the diseases go unnoticed for many years. A recent study hopes to shed some light on one of the early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, one that sometimes emerges years before any other symptoms: changes in a person’s sense of humor. Continue reading →

Selecting a nursing home for a loved one is one of the most important and difficult decisions that you may be asked to make. This decision is usually made during a time of crisis, frequently when a family member is ready to leave the hospital after a serious illness or operation. It would be easier on everyone if this decision could be planned for. However this is usually not the case. Just remember, be nice to your kids… they are going to pick out your nursing home. The first issue to decide is whether or not you really need a nursing home (often referred to as Skilled Nursing Facilities or SNFs). Would some type of home services be adequate? This issue should be discussed with your physician, as well as other healthcare providers. Continue reading →